It’s a wine, it’s a tribute — it’s Josh

The back story: What better way to honor dad than to name a bottle — or better yet, a whole wine brand — after him? That’s what California winemaker Joseph Carr has done with Josh, which has grown from a 1,200-cases-a-year brand to a 500,000-cases-a-year one since its debut in 2008. Actually, Carr’s father was a Joseph as well, but his buddies called him Josh — an everyday name for an everyday guy who drove stock cars, volunteered as a firefighter and served in the armed forces. The idea for the brand was to create a quality California wine, much in the same spirit as Joseph Carr’s namesake one, but at a lower price — a “vin du garage,” as Carr likes to call it.

And so, Josh, which has a lineup of bottles priced from $13 to $17, was born — despite the fact that Josh, who passed away in 1991, wasn’t much of a wine drinker. (He preferred beer — specifically, Budweiser.) Still, the name fits, says Carr, since his dad embodied a philosophy that has imbued Carr’s approach to making wine. “He represented a set of core values and hard work,” says Carr. The label also has a charity component, with some of its proceeds being directed to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which funds programs and projects to support veterans, first responders and their families.

As for Legacy, the newest wine in the Josh collection, that’s yet another story. It’s a red blend, made up of a unique mix of Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah. The idea is to have a little fun with mixing and matching — “We’re like mad scientists,” says Carr — but to also tap into the surging market for blends, since sippers are clearly looking beyond the familiar stand-alone varietals (think Cabernet). A report by IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm, found that sales of blends are up by 20% in the past year.

A wine named for dear old dad

What we think about it: As $15 bottles of California wine go, Josh is a definite winner — full of fruity flavor (the label points to notes of plum and black currant), but it’s far from one of those dreaded California “fruit bombs.” It’s enough to make a sipper want to explore the rest of the Josh roster, which includes a Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

How to enjoy it: Carr says you can be flexible with pairings. “I’ve had everything from grilled filet mignon to pulled pork with Legacy. I don’t think you have any rules with this,” he says. Just remember to toast Josh — or your own dad — when you serve Josh.

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